HTA/6

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A002000040001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 34
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 27, 2011
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 14, 1964
• Content Type: MEMO

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14 April 19 64
Please Reference:
4W-13 62
U. S. Government
Washington, D. C.
Subject: HTA/6
is pleased to submit an unsolicited proposal 25X1
for a model HT A,16 photographic film processor. This processor utilizes the latest'
concepts in the processor state-of-the-art and we are confident that it will
meet with your requirements.
We would be pleased to undertake this pro
ram on a CPFF b
i
g
as
s with a total
The program can be completed within twelve (12) months
after receipt of the contract.
Enclosed herewith for your evaluation is the technical dissertation on the pro-
posed processor. If there are any questions or any additional information you
require please feel free to contact either
25X1 ^
2525X1
Very truly yours,
Director of-Contracts
RJN:gw
enclosures
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U.
Waashina ,
25X1
Subject:
or a ae+l RW6 Photograph,
Concepts in the p+ sor state a Ort aan we are COT,
tit your requiromen
"d pleased to undoiUke this o on a Cl
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a or any iGait a l jdon ate you
25X1
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enclosure-8
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The progmm s brt i plet.d within tr e1 va
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1
' 4W-1362B
April 19 6+
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4W-13621
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This technical proposal has been prepared to acquaint the
U. S. Government with design criteria for an advanced continuous-
film processor that incorporates several proprietary innovations. The
design criteria in this document are based on the results of experience
gained through experimentation, design, and production of air/liquid
bearing photographic processing machines by personnel of the
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1
SECTION PAGE
1 INTRODUCTION 1-1
1. 1 PROPOSAL SCOPE 1-1
1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 1-1
1.2.1 Company-Funded Research 1-2
1.3 CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS 1-4
1.4 TECHNICAL SUMMARY 1-4
2 TECHNICAL DISCUSSION 2-1
2.1 DESCRIPTION 2-1
2.2 HUMAN-FACTORS ENGINEERING 2-2
2.3 CLEANROOM OPERATION 2-2
2.4 FILM-TRANSPORT SYSTEM 2-2
2.4.1 Vacuum Capstans 2-2
2.4.2 Air and Liquid Bearings 2-3
2.4.3 Bearing-Flange Adjustment 2-4
2.4.4 Variable Speed Control 2-4
2.5 CONSTRUCTION 2-5
2.6 LOADING STATION 2-5
2.6.1 Loading Table 2-5
2.6.2 Splicing Unit 2-6
2 . 7 PROCESSING SECTION 2-7
2.8 AIR SQUEEGEE 2-9
2.9 DRIER SECTION 2-9
2.10 TAKEUP STATION 2-10
2.11 CENTRAL CONTROL PANEL 2-11
2.12 TEMPERATURE CONTROL 2-12
2.13 ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS 2-12
2.14 RELIABILITY 2-13
3 HUMAN-FACTORS ENGINEERING 3-1
3.1 HUMAN-FACTORS CONSIDERATIONS 3-1
3.2 MACHINE DESIGN 3-1
4 FROGRAM
5 PHOTOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS GROUP PERSONNEL
APPENDIX A RELATED EXPERIENCE
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1.1 PROPOSAL SCOPE
This proposal contains information on design and production of
the HTA-6 Photographic-Film Processor, illustrated on
the frontispiece. The design and production information will include:
1) Recommended engineering approach (Sections 2, 3, and 4)
2) Qualifications of personnel (Section 5)
3) Related experience (Appendix A).
represents the HTA-6 design plan as being the most
advanced approach for an aerial-reconnaissance duplicate-film processor.
The design presumes that sensitometric control will have been accomplished
in the printing of the original film.
1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Several years ago,
an internationally-known
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authority on film-processor design, teamed with) to
apply his new transport system and film-developing concept to aerial-
film processing. These principles were employed first in Controllable
Development Processor EH-49, a machine that used air and liquid bearings
to "float" film through the various processing steps. Another development
milestone, heat-shock processing, was incorporated in the machine as
the control medium.
The fluid-bearing/vacuum-capstan methods were also incorporated
in the HTA-5 Processor and the Levitron Processor, now in production. In
addition, the principle has been employed in a wide-microfilm processor,
and air-bearings are used in the ABD-4 Drier. As a result,
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with its subsidiary is the only firm now successfully 25X1
manufacturing air/liquid bearing machines on a production basis. Further
research in the use of the vacuum capstan as a transport vehicle is con-
tinuing with the EH-52 Processor, which utilizes heat-shock processing
to develop aerial duplicating film in 1 second.
Much of the described research was accomplished under contract
to build equipment to rigid specifications. Under company-sponsored
research programs, has progressed independently in
each of these areas and undertaken further studies in design, chemistry,
and efficiency. This knowledge, coupled with today's advanced films,
enables this Contractor to confidently claim achievement of a system that
will outmode conventional wide-film processing techniques.
1.2.1 Company-Funded Research
The following projects have a direct relation- 25X1
ship to this proposal:
1) Heat-shock Development: Even though heat-shock is not
proposed for the HTA-6 Processor, these studies have pointed the way
and have established parameters for processing today's film at temper-
atures above the generally accepted 68?F.
2) Ansco FPC-132 Tests: The HTA-6 is a black-and-white
processor, not a color processor. However, has done 25X1
extensive research on Anscochrome films. These color materials are, by
reputation, one of the most delicate (if not the softest) films in use today.
Some of the knowledge gained pertaining to chemistry and handling tech-
niques can be applied to black-and-white processing with equal success.
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3) Film Splicing: Although) has manufactured
high-quality conventional film-splicers for many years, research has con-
tinued for better and quicker ways of splicing film. Among the many
methods investigated are percussion, ultrasonic, heat, staple, and tape
methods. The elevator-type accumulator proposed for the HTA-6 will
permit the use of the reliable, time-proven manual film-splicer incorporated
in many Houston Fearless film processors.
4) Air and Liquid Bearings: These innovations are described in
has selected a series of pumps that offers great ease of maintenance and
efficiency. These pumps are designed so that they be disassembled in
less than 1 minute. In addition, plenums can be rotated to any angle to
accommodate connections.
6) Plumbing: Conventional piping and fittings incur wasteful
line losses. These losses are so high, in fact, that previous wide-film
air-and liquid-bearing machines have required massive service units.
The reasons for the loss include rough interiors, poorly-sized joining
sections, and badly-contoured elbows and tees. In addition, pockets
created by mismatched connections were a prime source of potential con-
tamination, which is contrary to the principle of cleanroom design.
detail in Section 2.
S) Pumps: To improve plumbing methods,
fittings similar to those used in the food industry. Plumbing used for
piping liquid foods (milk, for example) must net stringent sanitary
specifications. There can be no corrosion, pockets, or offsets to trap
potential bacteria-breeding particles.
will incorporate in this processor tubing and
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The use of such plumbing in the HTA-6 will provide substantial
gains. Besides the cleanroom advantage, the increased efficiency will
eliminate the complex service unit. Pumps, filters, and associated
components can be located at the processor; this will also reduce line
losses when service units are remotely installed.
TECHNICAL SUMMARY
The design proposed here is presented as the soundest approach
to meet sensitometric, size, and economic requirements as
knows them. Solutions to engineering problems are based on this contractor's
past experience in producing air/liquid-bearing processing machines, data
from in-house research and development, and from feedback from the users
equipment.
The novel transport features will permit high-quality processing
of the most delicate types of film. Also, several important reliability and
economic advantages are gained from the special geometry and materials
proposed for the HTA-6.
Elimination of the separate service unit improves reliability and
economy for the proposed application. Complex valving, lengthy plumbing
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lines, and the use of large pumps are avoided; for instance, to deliver
solution in the required volume from a service unit just 10 feet away from
the processor, 7.5-horsepower pumps must generate 45 psi of pressure,
which degenerates to 3 psi at the bearing manifold. This loss is directly
associated with the use of plastic, preformed-plumbing lines as well as
distance. The interior surface of this type of line is inherently rough and
uneven in diameter, causing substantial flow drag and stricture. With
the proposed sanitary-type plumbing and with pumps and temperature-
control integral with the tanks, significant savings will accrue through
reduction of heat and pressure losses.
It has been estimated that the efficiency-gain factor will be
about 15 percent better than other equipment in this class. Specific data
will be developed during design testing.
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2.1 DESCRIPTION
The air/liquid-bearing, wide-film HTA-6 processor will be a
darkroom-operated machine capable of processing black-and-white
duplicate film in any standard width from 70mm to 9-1/2 inches.
The air/liquid-bearing principle, incorporated in the HTA-6
provides maximum protection from stress to the photographic film being
processed, and will insure the highest quality product obtainable within
the present state-of-the-art, consistent with proven methods and techni-
ques. The machine will hold linear distortion of the film to the minimum
and will eliminate the possibility of scratches or abrasions by avoiding
physical contact between the film and the machine wherever possible.
When physical contact does occur it will be slight and will be confined
to the base side of the film. The film will be transported and processed
without the emulsion side of the film contacting any portion of the
machine. Every effort will be made to further minimize film stress by
investigating all components in the film transport; for example, the
possibility of driving the input spool will be considered.
At a minimum, the HTA-6 will be capable of processing film
smoothly at speeds varying from 4 to 20 feet per minute. Film-transport
speed will be variable over a range of zero to 40 feet per minute to accom-
modate future emulsions. Solution temperatures will be adjustable up to
85?F., this temperature being considered the highest practical working
temperature at this time. Overall size of the processor will be 16 feet,
9 inches long by 8 feet, 3 inches high.
The sensitometric and physical properties of the film material
processed in the HTA-6 will be those which are characteristic of such
2-1
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films as 8430 and 5427. The HTA-6 will handle both standard-base and
thin-base materials (2.5 to 8.0 mils); however, no present requirement
for thin-base film exists as the HTA-6 is designed for processing duplicate
stock only.
2.2 HUMAN-FACTORS ENGINEERING
Careful consideration will be given to the construction, place-
ment, and human engineering of the equipment and controls to obtain the
simplest and most convenient operating conditions (Figure 2-1). The
latest mechanical concepts for photographic-processing equipment will
be included in the design. The plan for human-factors engineering is
described in detail in Section 3.
2.3 CLEANROOM OPERATION
The proposed HTA-6 processor will be designed for cleanroom
operation. All processing solutions, wash water, air for air bearings,
and heated air for drier plenums will be filtered to 5 microns. Therefore,
the potential hazard to high-resolution aerial images caused by large
particles of dirt, dust, chemicals, and other image-degrading materials,
will be eliminated.
2.4 FILM-TRANSPORT SYSTEM
The film-transport system will consist of vacuum-operated drive
capstans and a number of air and liquid bearings over which the film will
travel through and between immersion tanks.
2.4.1 Vacuum Capstans
Each vacuum capstan will consist of a polished stainless-steel
sleeve which will rotate about a vacuum-chamber stop shaft. A signifi-
cant feature of this type of film-drive capstan is the absence of any
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sliding friction between the rotating sleeve and the film, thus assuring
maximum protection to the film.
The film-metering-drive vacuum capstan will be located at the
end of the wash section at the film entrance to the drier. The film feed-
in capstan will be located at the entrance to the wet section. The take-
off-drive capstan will be located at film exit of the drier. Both the feed-in
and the takeoff vacuum capstans will be slaved to the metering vacuum
capstan so that they are automatically synchronized for the desired changes
in transport speed. However, both vacuum rollers will have an override
drive which will be governed for each unit by its film-loop sensing roller.
2.4.2 Air and Liquid Bearings
Air and liquid bearings will be used to transport the film through
the processor. The following description is presented as a guide for persons
unfamiliar with this principle of film transport.
Air or liquid bearings consist of tubes into which air or liquid is
pumped. The air or fluid is allowed to escape from the tubes at a con-
trolled rate through escape slots of definite sizes, thus forming a cushion
of liquid or air on which the film is borne. The configuration of the slots
will provide even film development. The fully concentric film path is
achieved through two turbulation zones, which, in turn, are created by
four angled escape orifices. The desired height of the liquid or air cushion
is controlled by the shape and particular design of the two bleed rings
which define the film path.
In the chemical solution and wash sections, liquid bearings are
submerged in the tanks. Air bearings above the processor tanks provide
intertank transport. The drier is equipped with air bearings and controlled-
temperature air is blown through them for film drying as well as for film
transport.
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2.4.3 Bearing Flange Adjustment
Primary design considerations for bearing flange adjustment
include ease of adjustment, proper liquid- or air-cushion levels, reliability
and secure film positioning. The design selected will permit liquid and
air-bearing bleed rings to be manually adjusted to the width of the film
being processed. Bleed rings will be indexed to selected positions and
secured by a detent. This will establish a proper cushion in the liquid
and air bearings and will insure precise film-strip tracking.
Other mechanical devices for bleed-ring indexing are being
studied. One uses a lead screw manually-operated by a hand crank. The
crank can be rotated to specific markings denoting film size. Another
device employs a rack and pinion gear, with bleed rings attached to oppos-
ing racks and driven through a pinion by a hand crank which requires less
than 360 degrees of rotation for the full range of film sizes.
2.4.4 Variable Speed Control
The transport rate of the processor will be variable over a range
of zero to 40 feet per minute. Speed variation will be obtained by manually
adjusting the speed control which, in turn, controls the operating speed of
the metering vacuum-capstan drive.
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2.5 CONSTRUCTION
Modular construction will be used wherever possible for ease of
maintenance, assembly, and disassembly. Each of the separate sections
of the processor will be mounted on a base frame of stainless-steel channel.
All joints in the stainless steel will be heliarc-welded; the welds will be
ground, polished, and passivated. Structural partitions will generally be
fabricated of stainless steel. Where contact with photographic solutions
is necessary or probable, Type 316 stainless steel or a suitable plastic
material will be employed. All control panels, subassemblies, and com-
ponents will be wired so that they can be individually removed from the
machine.
2.6 LOADING STATION
The loading station will incorporate the loading table, a film-
splicing unit, and a supply of leader material. This module will be fitted
with standard access panels so that the interior of any portion of the
loading station is readily accessible for maintenance.
2.6.1 Loading Table
The loading table will be designed to accept a standard
film spool for loading the machine. Spool capacity is 1000 feet for
standard base or 1800 feet for thin-base film. The end of this loading
table may be equipped with registration pins and mating surfaces to
accept a 5000-foot film cart. Integral with the load- 25X1
ing table will be an alarm system which will warn the operator when
approximately 40 feet of film remains on the spool. The alarm will be
adjustable (from the ':ontrol panel) to any desired film length, thus
allowing the desired time for obtaining a new supply of film or leader.
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2.6.2 Splicing Unit
The film-splicing unit will be mounted on the loading table.
This tape splicer will be similar to that used on many
processors, but will incorporate several new features for making faster
and more precise butt splices. To cut the film, the operator first lowers
and latches two film-locking bars which secure the film firmly on the
cutting surface over the cutting groove. The operator then lowers and
latches a cutting bar which consists of a retractable blade assembly
that moves laterally across the film on two metal ways. The operator
presses the blade into the film with the blade pushbutton and draws the
assembly across the film. The cutting bar and the film-locking bar are
then raised and the spool is removed. The operator locks the new film-
end in place and butt-splices it to the processor film-end with tape from
the splicer-unit tape supply. The entire splicing operating can be per-
formed in 30 seconds or less.
A supply of leader material for threading the machine will also
be located on top of the loading station.
2-6
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2.7 PROCESSING SECTION
The processing section will have six immersion tanks: one for
developer, one for stopbath (or rinse), one for fixer, and three for vas
These tanks will be in the relative positions indicl-ited in FigurE_ 2-1
All processing tanks will be provided with overflow outlets snd
bottom drains.
Each tank will contain a heat exchanger which will act at the same
rate as the flow equalizer that is used for the liquid-bearing recirculation
system.
The temperature-control unit consists of a small stainless-steel
container in which are mounted an electric heater and a solenoid-controlled
valve cold-water inlet. A circulation pump is connected between this tank
and the heat exchangers mounted in the tank units.
The temperature-control unit is filled with approximately 1 gallon
of water, which is the medium for the temperature changes to the high or
lo-,:.7 side when circulated by the pump.
The electric heater in the temperature-control unit will heat the
circulated water until the desired processing temperature in the developer
tank is reached. At this point the thermostatic controls open the cold-water
solenoid valve on the temperature-control unit and allow cold water to enter,
which in turn mixes with the 1 gallon of rapidly-circulated water. An over-
flow is provided on the tank unit. During this cycle the immersion heater
is energized constantly. This unique but very simple control system produces,
with an accuracy of ? 0.250F, a temperature curve with no overriding chara-
cteristics .
The reliability of our proposed temperature-control system is well
proven, and is in use with 1 rocess equipment with 24-hour duty cycles.
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Each of the tanks in the processing section will contain liquid
bearings as described in Subsection 2.4.2. Air bearings of the type des-
cribed in Subsection 2.4.2 will be provided at the entrance and exit of each
of these tanks to permit film transport from tank to tank without mechanical
contact with machine parts.
Film is threaded by attaching the film leader to a mylar belt with
a special clamping device. The belt rides over idler pulleys located at the
end of the bearings and passes over and under individual tank bearings.
The belt is pulled manually through each tank until the leader has threaded
film over and under all bearings.
A cascade wash-system within the three wash tanks will provide
archival wash (hot and cold water to be provided at the installation). Tempered
water will be supplied through a thermostat-controlled mixing valve capable
of controlling wash-water temperature within ?2. 5 0 F. The wash-water con-
sumption will be about 50 percent less than that of conventional processors
due to the Levitron high turbulation effect which allows a much more econ-
omical use of water.
In this wash system, fresh, pressurized water is forcibly ejected
in jets from each bearing and impinges directly on the film surfaces, carry-
ing residual sodium thiosulphate with it. The water first enters the final
wash tank and is then pumped into the first wash tank. Part of the water
can be pumped from the first wash tank to the developer rinse tank. Because
of the cascade wash and use of the Levitron impingement principle, this wash
system will require only about 50 percent of the water needed in conventional
processors.
A wetting agent will be contained in a small vessel located after
the final wash tank. Provisions will be made to permit controlled gravity-
feeding of the wetting agent into the final rinse.
The wet section of the HTA-6 will have a manually-operated self-
threading system. The splicer and the drier will be hand-threaded.
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2.8 AIR SQUEEGEE
An air squeegee will be located just above the wetting-agent tank
and ahead of the drier. The squeegee will remove excess moisture from the
film material to insure uniform and rapid drying of the film material. A low-
pressure, high-volume, Super Levitron-type squeegee will be employed.
This unit has been used on the HTA-5 with excellent results. A separate
blower for the squeegee will be incorporated, if necessary.
2.9 DRIER SECTION
The drier will be housed in a separate cabinet into which processed
film from the wet section is fed by a positive-drive vacuum capstan.
The drier will be accessible through a full-length plexiglass door.
Upon entering the drier, the film will be threaded around air-bearing plenums
(as shown in Figure 2-1) with adjustable bleed rings to accommodate films
of various widths. The drier has a closed air-circulating system and main-
tains a slight positive pressure while in operation to prevent unfiltered air
from entering the system. A damper control provides infinitely variable con-
trol over recirculated air and permits proportional addition of 5-micron filtered
fresh air.
The film will make no mechanical contact as it passes over the air
bearings, as it will ride on a cushion of air. The air bearing will be mounted
in a fixed position on the back wall of the drier.
Electrically-heated and thermostatically-controlled air will be ducted
into each plenum. The air will impinge uniformly on the film eliminating areas
of uneven drying which might result in marks and density variations. A single
air-blower will be used for all drier bearings.
Overall drier temperature will be controlled from the same central
control-console used for temperature control of chemical solutions. Maximum
safe temperature may be controlled from manually-set thermostats in the drier
itself.
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The drier will be a self-sufficient unit in the sense that no external
blowers, filters, or ducting to any outside source are required.
As the film comes off the bottom air-bearing plenum it will form
a loop around a loop-sensing (polyethylene) roller. The position of this
loop-sensing roller controls the override drive of the vacuum-capstan at
the exit of the drier.
This system extends impingement drying to its ultimate efficiency,
making the air serve the dual purpose of film drying and film transport. Due
to its efficiency, this dritir '"ill dry film at lower temperatures than any con-
ventional drier.
The drying system will be arranged so that a dehydrator (not in-
cluded in this proposal) may be used if a cold-air drying system is desired.
A normalizing chamber through which the film passes as it leaves
the drier will also be provided.
2.10 TAKEUP STATION
As the film emerges from the drier it will pass in front of a film
viewer for inspection prior to being rolled on one of the two takeup reels
(frontispiece). The viewing panel will be properly light-filtered and illu-
minated. This panel will be provided with a voltage control to permit adjust-
ment of light emission, and with sliding shutters adjustable to the width of
the film. The takeup assembly will consist of two shafts which will accom-
modate all 1000-foot Class B reels.
The takeup station will also include a device to dissipate electro-
static charges from the film.
Two film-cutter bars will be included at the takeup station for
cutting film while changing from one takeup reel to another. The cutter
bars will have small light boxes located directly below them. The light
boxes will provide narrow bands of light along the cutter edge and will allow
the machine operator to locate easily the line to be cut.
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2.11 CENTRAL CONTROL PANEL
The central control panel will be located at the takeup end of the
processor as shown in Figure 2-1. The controls are located in this position
to prevent fogging the film when operating the machine in the darkroom, to
centralize all controls, and to prevent damaging control-console cabinets
with film carts or magazines.
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Duplicate START-STOP controls will be
located at the load end.
The controls, which will be arranged to sequence operations in a
normal left-to-right, top-to-bottom arrangement, will be designed for dark-
room operation to take care of any emergency conditions. The control pro-
visions will include the following features:
1) Switches will be tactile-coded so that the switch mode can
be sensed by touching the control before actuating it.
2)
The recessed control panel will be illuminated by miniature
edge lights.
A dimmer switch will provide intensity control.
3)
All indicator lights will be provided with iris shutters to adjust
the light emission to a safe level.
4) Controls will be mounted on the panel in an arrangement that
will tend to reduce errors caused by actuating improper controls in the dark-
room; for example, when the START button is depressed, it will remain flush
with the panel so that the STOP button, protruding above the panel, becomes
the only control in the area that is available for actuation.
5) Electrical interlocks will be incorporated in all cases where
damage to the film or the machine, or the safety of personnel, is involved.
Final arrangements of all control elements, visual indicators, and
audible alarms will be based on a human-factors engineering study. All
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II
power requirements for the machine itself will be brought to the area from
the rear and below the control panel for distribution to specific equipment.
Also located in the control panel area will be the overload-protection cir-
cuits, power interlocks, temperature controllers, speed-control units, and
the audible alarms.
2.12 TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Solution-temperature control will be maintained within ?0.5?F up
to 85?F. (The customer must furnish water at 10 gallons per minute and at
a temperature of 45?F .) The tank-solution temperature will be controlled by
solid-state electronic circuitry that is capable of reacting speedily to out-
of-tolerance solution-temperature conditions.
An automatic water-temperature blending valve will be used to con-
trol the wash-water temperature to within ?2. 5 0 F.
Drier-temperature control will be accomplished by a solid-state
device similar to that used for the processing-solution control.
Temperature sensors will be properly located in the processing
solution tanks and the drier to provide data to the control circuits. The probe
in the wash section will be used for monitoring only.
2.13 ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The electrical system will require a 120/208-volt ac, 3-phase, 4-
wire electric power source at the processor main power-distribution box.
This system will provide the following safe operating conditions:
1) All indicator and warning lights except main power lights will
be off when the machine is running satisfactorily.
2) All liquid pumps will be provided with a time-delay relay cir-
cuit so that the pump will switch off automatically in the event of a dry line.
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3) When end-of-film warning is received, the takeoff-drive cap-
stan will be switched off but the vacuum pump will remain on to hold the end
of the film.
4) The drier-blower circuit will incorporate an interlock circuit
to prevent heater elements from operating when the blower is not running.
2.14 RELIABILITY
With several air/liquid bearing processors now in the field or under-
going factory testing, meaningful reliability data are now available. Life
tests and statistical models have indicated a continuous processing capa-
bility exceeding 72 hours. This reliability has been achieved through keep-
ing moving parts to a minimum and through careful selection of purchased parts.
All parts are NEMA-rated for industrial or commercial use. In the HTA-6
program, additional achievements are expected to minimize mean-time-be-
tween-failures and maximize mean-time-to-repair.
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SECTION 3
HUMAN-FACTORS ENGINEERING
3.1 HUMAN-FACTORS CONSIDERATIONS
plans to implement those human factors principles
that will insure the engineering of equipment that is easy to operate and
maintain. This Contractor has had considerable experience in the design
and fabrication of equipment that involves critical man-machine relation-
ships concerned with physical and psychophysical analysis.
3.2 MACHINE DESIGN
During the design phase, consideration will be given to the
arrangement of all components with respect to operational and maintenance
requirements of operator groups within the 5th and 95th percentiles.
Control groupings will be consistent with basic operational
sequences and frequency-of-use parameters.
Initiation of the program of development design of the machine
will include developing a program with flow charts for operational, mal-
function, and emergency procedures as guidelines of machine layout;
verifying film-loading and takeup heights; determining optimum film-
viewing configuration; evaluating machine-component accessibility for
servicing and maintenance; and evaluating control and display compo-
nents to determine specific control layouts.
The main control panel will be located on the front of the machine
adjacent to the takeup station. It will be tilted to provide good visibility
for 5th through 95th percentile operators. All controls and displays will be
readily accessible to the operator.
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design objectives,
the processor will represent the best engineering practice and will incor-
porate components, methods, and materials of proven merit. Upon contract
award, will design, fabricate, test, and deliver one com- 25X1
plete Model HTA-6 film processor as described in Section 2.
The equipment progress will be monitored and reviewed on a con-
tinuing basis by the Contractor's project engineers. In addition, government
personnel or consulting engineers employed by the government may visit the
Contractor's facility for evaluation of the work being carried on under the
terms of this contract. The contractor will insure that technical coordination
is achieved with such representatives on a mutually agreeable schedule.
maintains a single-standard
quality-control system that meets the requirements of MIL-Q-9858 and
Air Force Bulletin Nos. 515 and 520. The system includes control of raw
material, receiving inspection, in-process and final-test inspection,
written inspection and test procedures , calibration of testing and measure-
ment equipment, and complete, written, quality-control operating procedures.
The system has been surveyed and approved by both the military and prime
contractors to the military.
The quality control department manager reports directly to the
General Manager, and the department is adequately staffed to assure
compliance with the written procedures.
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A profile of the technical staff of the photographic systems group
shows a broadly diversified spectrum of experience in the photographic
sciences, physics, and mechanical enginee-'ing. A review of significant
staff contributions of original ideas, concepts, new applications, and
products includes such areas as:
Special-purpose film Sensitometry
processor design
Optical radiometry Photometry
PHOTOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS GROUP
PERSONNEL
Mechanical structures
and systems
Information theory
Electronic image
enhancement
Photographic laboratory
design
Optical system design
and construction
Materials processing systems
1
Appendix A contains examples of typical related equipment which
personnel have designed and manufactured.
The success of the photographic systems group has vindicated its
technical staffing policies: a nucleus of senior engineers complemented by
their intermediate and junior counterparts selected for originality, creative
potential, and initiative. The resumes in this section highlight the back-
grounds of those people who will be available for technical and administrative
support and to whom key project responsibility will be delegated.
Corrosive-chemical
circulation systems
Miniaturization techniques
Microwave-energy film
development
Special-purpose cameras
and camera control
Black-body light-measuring
instrumentation
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The overall technical and administrative activity will be super-
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as project manager, will have technical and administrative control
within the project.
will be responsible for the sensitometric problems;
Howard Speer will be responsible for mechanical design.
will be in charge of installation and field services at the customer's facility,
and Alphonse Merino will contribute to the human-engineering aspects of
the processor design.
will participate in a consulting capacity.
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During the more than 25 years that I Ihas been
a leader in the photographic-processor field, most areas related to the
field have been explored by the company. A few of the related film-
processing system programs successfully completed by
are described in the following pages.
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HTA-5 PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM PROCESSOR
The HTA-5 Processor automatically processes black and white
photographic films commonly used by the Air Force for aerial photography
and for reproduction purposes.
The HTA-5 provides maximum protection to the processed film
and insures the highest quality product obtainable within the present state-
of-the-cart. Linear distortion of film is held to the minimum and the possi-
bility of film damage is reduced by limiting contact between the film and
the machine. The HTA-5 also offers exceptional reliability, continuous
operation for long periods, and ease of operation and maintenance.
Designed and built to the highest commercial standards, the
HTA-S is capable of processing standard or thin-base black-and-white
films in any width between 70mm and 9-1/2 inches and will accept film
magazines or reels containing a maximum length of 20, 000 feet. Processing
speeds vary smoothly over a range of 4 to 25 feet per minute. The film
transport speed ranges from 4 to 60 feet per minute to accommodate future
emulsions. Film is transported through the HTA-5 by a vacuum-capstan
film drive using air and liquid bearings. This drive provides smooth oper-
ation and delivers processed film free from scratches, abrasions, or
distortions .
Ease of operation and maintenance are characteristic of the HTA-5
processor. Provisions are made for handling bulky, heavy rolls or maga-
zines with mechanized assistance, for simple loading and threading, for
rapid and easy splicing, and for rapid draining and filling of tanks.
Maintenance is facilitated by modular construction, by components and
assemblies that can be removed and replaced easily, and by appropriate
fail-safe indicators and alarms.
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is building a unique
controllable-development film processor for the United States Air Force.
The machine incorporates much design rationale applicable to the proposed
program in terms of precision, reliability, and human engineering. Because
it handles irreplaceable film whose processing is exacting, operational
reliability is a prominent design consideration. Similarly, special design
consideration is given to selection of materials and fabrication techniques
compatible with cleanroom operation.
The processor monitors film development by infrared scanning, and
automatically varies the development schedule to provide optimum processing
parameters for each frame according to its particular exposure. The machine
also records the values of the processing parameters for each frame according
to its particular exposure and to give a measure of the conditions under which
the film was exposed.
The film is transported through the processor on specially-designed
air and liquid bearings. These bearings eliminate contact
between the film and the machine, thus preventing damage to the film emulsion
through scraping or stretching. The control console contains a built-in closed-
circuit TV system for remote monitoring.
The controllable-development processor is the first of its kind; no
other machine presently on the market offers continuously-controlled develop-
ment under remote surveillance.
DP78B04747A002000040001
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